Ondo Police arrest 16 suspects, foil alleged bomb plot in Akure

The Ondo State Police Command says it has arrested 16 persons for alleged criminal activities across the state, including six suspects linked to a planned bomb attack in Akure, the state capital.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Adebowale Lawal, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists on recent security operations carried out by the command.

According to him, six suspects were apprehended over an alleged plot to bomb government facilities, while 10 others were arrested for suspected cult-related offences.

Alleged Bomb Plot Foiled

Lawal said the police recorded a major breakthrough by preventing the planned attack before it could be carried out.

“The command recorded a major operational breakthrough with the successful foiling of a planned bomb attack in Akure. The operation led to the arrest of six suspects and the recovery of materials suspected to be components for the fabrication of improvised explosive devices, alongside several other incriminating items on April 15, 2026,” he said.

He explained that the arrests followed credible intelligence on the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating across state boundaries.

“Acting on the intelligence, operatives were deployed to the identified location, where the suspects were apprehended before they could execute their plan. A search of the scene and subsequent operation at their apartment led to the recovery of several items,” he added.

Items Recovered

Police said items recovered from the suspects included:

217 bottles

A bag of sugar

Suspected charms

17 mobile phones

N187,000 cash

Two HP laptops

Eight slings

One knife

External hard drive

Identity cards, including a NIN card

Two motorcycles

Suspects Identified

Some of the suspects were identified as:

Adekunle Prosper, 56

Ojo Olumide, 39

Tope Kolawole, 40

Ahmed Salihu, 40

Bolaji Adebowale, 46

Gbadebo Abidemi, 43

Targeted Government Facilities

The police commissioner said preliminary investigations showed the suspects were allegedly assembling improvised explosive devices intended for attacks on government infrastructure.

He added that the group had recently rented an apartment in the Oke-Odu area of Akure, which was allegedly being used as their operational base.

“Further intelligence revealed that a document detailing potential targets was recovered, suggesting a premeditated and coordinated plan. The timely intervention of the police averted what could have resulted in significant loss of lives and destruction of property,” Lawal stated.